HEALTH CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON SANITATION

HEALTH CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON SANITATION

To set the record right in the New Year with regard to communicable diseases, the district Health authorities have planned a systematic campaign for health awareness culminating in the use of Public Health Act to prosecute violators.

Awareness activities

Starting this month from the Third to the 12th of every month till May, the district Health authorities would be engaged in awareness activities in every panchayat.  What triggers the communicable diseases is the lack of awareness regarding the good practices of hygiene and sanitation and the availability of potable water, said P. N. Sreenivasan, district health officer (rural). Using the Public Health Act as a tool as part of the awareness and action campaign would be a deterrent for the slipshod attitude of some people who believe that the government has to come down to clean up their backyard, said Mr. Sreenivasan. Though the municipalities and Kochi Corporation have their own Health departments, they also need to join in with their health campaigns so that it becomes more effective, said Mr. Sreenivasan. The district health authorities do not have a say in the health activities of the municipalities and Corporation area.

Clean premises

People would be advised to keep their premises clean and provide no source for breeding mosquitoes. Any such source would be pointed out and if these are not dealt with proper action, legal notices would be issued after a three month campaign. Plantation owners would be made aware of their responsibilities in the public health issue. Similarly, in case of waste management, people need to observe strict measures not to dispose septic tank waste into public drains or throw garbage onto public spaces.The idea is to have a district that does not breed communicable diseases with the onset of monsoons, said Mr. Sreenivasan.

Public cooperation

The Health department would be taking a active role in keeping communicable diseases at bay in the district and this can be achieved only with proper dissemination of information and a follow-up action on the part of the Health department as well as the public, he added.

                                                                        Prof. John Kurakar